Interviews with Professionals

Abstract

The clarion call of frontline service officers who respond to domestic abuse is that they are frustrated. This is expressed in two key ways: first, using the victim as a focus for all that is wrong with responding to domestic abuse, a perception that 'if only the victim would behave properly and support the frontline agenda, then most of the problems of domestic abuse would disappear overnight'; and second, that responders feel ill-equipped to deal with the ongoing situation because it is too sensitive. There is a perception that domestic abuse isn't really a police matter, but it is not anyone else's responsibility either. This is, of course, a skewed, but nonetheless real, perception of the problems, which has serious repercussions. We heard from professionals that a multi-disciplinary approach to domestic abuse training, and knowing what happens when other professionals respond would help them understand the wider care pathway: What do the police have, do they get trained? We (ambulance and police) should all get together and do case studies, so we know what all the services do, get consistent approach. Help each other, you know what I mean. We all try to do a 'bit', but if no one knows what 'bit' you've done, or even what your 'bit' should be, it won't work. No one talks to anyone else (ambulance, police and other support services), not even the electronic sources (record departments).